On the dash through the inner bowels of Invesco field, the pool passed by Oprah Winfrey and her entourage, and the queen of daytime talk stopped to answer questions. She looked stunned and emotional, as if the day had overwhelmed her.

Highlights: Michelle's reaction to the speech ("a speech of a lifetime"); Obama's first comments publicly since ("the Republicans are going to have their turn, and they'll have a whole lot of fun with us"); and an impromptu avail with Oprah ("I've never experienced anything like that"). And, above and beyond all else, a moment with Robert Gibbs ("It's hard to imagine, honestly, a better four days").

Newsy bits in bold.

After his acceptance speech at Invesco, Obama made two more late-night stops. He went to a friends and family reception at one end of the stadium - to this, the pool was not invited. Later, Obama and Michelle came upstairs to the club level at Invesco to address the National Finance Committee members, who were holding a reception. He arrived just after 10:40 PM mountain time.

Penny Pritzker, his national finance uberwoman, introduced him.

"What a night! Was that extraordinary? Aren't you proud to be a Democrat? Aren't you proud of what your party is doing?" Pritzker said. "That's it. We have 68 days left, and that means we're all going to have to work very, very hard so that we can put Barack Obama in the White House."

Michelle then took the microphone.

"Well, wasn't this a pretty special night to end a pretty special week. I can't tell you how proud I am of my husband, who delivered a speech of a lifetime. And now the work begins," she said.

"We'd love to say it's over, let's go home.but now it's really going to be hard, and we're going to need each one of you working hard, raising money and making Nov. 4 just a foregone conclusion. And if we do that, we'll get this guy, my honey."

Obama came next.

"Well, uh, listen. I feel pretty good. I almost hit the same level Michelle Obama hit on Monday. That was my goal tonight," he said. He said he was "a little speechless looking out over this enormous crowd" of donors and fundraisers and friends, and then went on to name a few. In particular he thanked Pritzker and Julianna Smoot, his finance director, which inspired a chant of "Smoot, Smoot, Smoot" from the crowd. These were clearly her peeps.

"There are people who have poured their heart and soul into this campaign from the very beginning -- who kept Michelle and I up when things were down, who kept Michelle's and my head on straight when things were up." He continued: "I hope everybody understands that this week and this night was your night as well as our night ..because this campaign is your campaign as well as our campaign."

"It's going to be hard. You've been hanging out with Democrats all week. The Republicans are going to have their turn, and they'll have a whole lot of fun with us. And they will change some minds, and persuade, and then the race is on. We're going to have to work as hard as we can."

He wrapped up around 11:20 p.m. and was whisked back to the motorcade.

On the dash through the inner bowels of Invesco field, the pool passed by Oprah Winfrey and her entourage, and the queen of daytime talk stopped to answer questions. She looked stunned and emotional, as if the day had overwhelmed her.

"I've never experienced anything like that," she said. "I think it was anything anyone could ever expect."

"I woke up this morning, and I went to google, and I googled the entire Martin Luther King speech because, like most Americans, I listen listen to the "I have a dream" part. And in the earlier part of the speech, he talks about the promise of democracy. And I think today that promise was fulfilled in a way that I never imagined in my lifetime. What I saw with Barack Obama was something that was transcendent and, I felt, transformational for me as a human being and for this country. And I only pray in the deepest part of my being that America will rise to this moment."

Obama's ascent, se said, is "something we have never seen before. I think it's the most powerful thing I've ever experienced."

The Secret Service then threatened to lock in Oprah's motorcade if she did not leave and the avail ended.

Obama departed next, arriving back at the hotel shortly after 11:30 p.m. With a slightly smaller entourage than Oprah's, senior adviser Robert Gibbs stood on the sidewalk outside the hotel, serene and satisfied with the convention as it drew to a close. He said that Obama expressed happiness with how the speech went. He was "very, very pleased, and to some degree, relieved," Gibbs said.

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14 Comments

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched his speech from our home in Lynnwood, Washington (approx. 20 miles north of Seattle). I have never been so proud of my country and so proud of Barack Obama for bringing out the best in our country.

As far as I am concerned, he's already our President.

He's so right, it is about us, and it is about America's promise to us all. lastly, enough! No more free rides for the Republicans and the wealthy who feed on the hopes and dreams of the American people, because we finally have that knight in shining armour to hold court and rule in favor of the people.

Finally we will have the People's President to guide this nation and resurrect our standing in the world.

ARE YOU KIDDING A WHOLE COLUMN BECAUSE OPRAH WAS AT THE DNC FOR OBAMA'S SPEECH! SHE ALREADY SAID SHE WOULDN'T SPEAK AT THE DNC BECAUSE IT WAS BARACKS DAY. iN OTHERWORDS IF SHE SPOKE THE WHOLE CONVENTION WOULD BE AWE STRICKEN WITH OPRAH,AND BARACK WOULD BE DOWNPLAYED! WHAT AN EGO...ON THE FRONT OF HER MAGAZINE EVERYMONTH.. BIG EGO

Very nice! I think we can all breathe again. I think know we are all part of somethng that is good. At this point, let the Republicans say what they must--let's move on to the voting booths! Keep home alive!

Arrogance
Tire gauges
Inexperience
Hillary snub
Against free speech
"Citizen of the world"
"Above my pay grade"
“Typical white person”
“uhhhh….I….well…uhhhh”
“Iran is a tiny country – no threat.”
The Born Alive Infant Protection Act
"Bitter and clinging to God and their guns"
China has a “vastly superior infrastructure"
"First time I have been proud of my country"
“We are a nation of cynics, sloths and complacents”

It isn't about us, it's all about Oprah-run showmanship. Michelle is even dressed by the same Chicago "designer" as Oprah - no coincidence there: Oprah is calling the shots. That's one of my main concerns about Obama. Oprah, the Kingmaker, will take over the White House, and that's not a good thing.

Oh, what a pity for those such as Mr. Jackson above. We, who have been enlightened during the past four days to the possibilities of what America can be again, can understand how frightening it must be to you to have an political candidate with a vision to the future.
Say what you want.

When Al Gore ran for President, we didn't feel the need to address the right-wing attacks on him and his character because we non-Republicans (not just Democrats)were complacent after eight years of relative success under Bill Clinton. Hey, I even voted for Bush...once.

When John Kerry ran, every political disagreement seemed to be heated because many of us Americans saw the direction the country was going and were sick of being labelled as unpatriotic for not dutifully falling into the George Bush dream of a more perfect mili-corporate society. It was our duty to respond.

But now? This time? I listened to last night's forward-looking speech that took place in my dusty (Cow-) home-town, and it was so obvious to me that Obama is so superior as the candidate needed for the job of turning this country around that, today, when I hear the right-wing attacks against him, I can only shake my head and feel pity. Pity, not only for those who approach this most dangerous and complex time in world history with the old head-in-the-sand osterich approach, but also for the rest of us who are ready to move forward into the future and, yet, have to drag the bitter, status-quo'ers along with us to get there. I, for one, am willing to do that if I can get Barrack Obama in the White House.

Hey, I'm 56, I'm white and I'm voting for Obama with an enthusiasm I've never had before for a candidate. He makes me feel good about me, about my children's and grandchildren's futures, and he makes me proud to be a part of an America that helps the disadvantaged, makes personal sacrifices for the sake of the greater good, and is looked upon by other nations of the world with respect and admiration. Eight years of the opposite is....ENOUGH!

hey, by the way...while folk are recalling that, "let freedom ring" day 45 years ago, can the junior senator from illinois do anything about, "let my children go"...to school. like tuesday the 2nd? or is he no longer a senator from illinois?

Once again Oprah surfaces to make her typical self-indulging comments in support of Obama. Give me a break! Who elevated Oprah to "we care what you think" status?
Let's see:
"I never experienced anything like that". Are you kidding me? The guy is a great teleprompter reader, I'll give you that....but he's nobody I'd ever want leading this country. Most national pundits consider his speech average at best. JFK, MLK, or Abe Lincoln he is not.
Michelle Obama: "A speech of a lifetime"?......Maybe his and maybe your lifetime...oh, and of course Oprah's.....but not mine...not even close.
Today, McCain announced the VP choice of Sarah Palin.
Great choice. I think many will be surprised how the unknown Sarah Palin will bury Joe Biden in their upcoming debate.
What does all this mean?

Wow, that last one is so sad. If we graded and evaluated you on sound bites and everything out of context you would look like a moron. You clearly cannot read past a third grade reading level if that is the best you can come up with. Please go to the websites of both candidates and read their positions on key issues and decide from there.

Please do not continue to toss out things like "tire gauge" unless you actually know what you are talking about. If Americans merely paid enough attention to tire pressure they could save 10 cents per gallon immediately and immediately bring down our dependence on foreign oil. It is not rocket science it is personal responsibility. Are you that afraid to take responsibility for your own actions that this was one of the first things you mentioned.

This is not about Oprah, this is about Obama and the United States of America. If your breathe was not taken away from his speech last night, you are not alive. We need change, all of his changes and more....If you want more high oil prices, more higher food prices, less jobs, and more debt for our children and grandchildren to pay for, well then, cast your vote for McCain. For me..McCain holds no promise! I believe in Obama, tho he is not perfect. No one is, but thank God we live in the United States of America where your voice and mine can be heard. My prayers and hopes are with our next president, Barak Obama! (I am a white female, age 62 grandmother)....and I will work for more of people our age to get votes for him....God Bless America!

The almighty divine being revealed to me in a vision this message. As I was surrounded by an array of colors that reminded me so much of a circus in my dream. I recall looking down at Senator Barack Obama and saying,"Raise your head look up and Smile...Touch my hand because this is as close as I'll ever me to a President."
The Lord make no mistakes and I ask not our WILL but to let his WILL be done on your journey and walk with him. May the Lord order your Steps in his words and please continue to let his love within you bring restoration to a WORLD that is filled with hatred, bitterness, and despair. I'm praying for you and your beautiful family.

The almighty divine being revealed to me in a vision this message. As I was surrounded by an array of colors that reminded me so much of a circus in my dream. I recall looking down at Senator Barack Obama and saying,"Raise your head look up and Smile...Touch my hand because this is as close as I'll ever me to a President."
The Lord make no mistakes and I ask not our WILL but to let his WILL be done on your journey and walk with him. May the Lord order your Steps in his words and please continue to let his love within you bring restoration to a WORLD that is filled with hatred, bitterness, and despair. I'm praying for you and your beautiful family.

"No more free rides for the Republicans and the wealthy who feed on the hopes and dreams of the American people, because we finally have that knight in shining armour to hold court and rule in favor of the people."

You gotta' be kidding me!!! You really think all Reps. get a free ride. How do you think Obama went to Harvard? Did he work hard & make it himself (think American Dream!)? Nobody paid MY college tuition. Nobody bailed me out of my bills or paid for my housing. I DID IT MYSELF the same way everyone else should. It had NOTHING to do with your hopes & dreams or anyone else's.

"Finally we will have the People's President to guide this nation and resurrect our standing in the world." PATHETIC! PATHETIC! You have the power to affect your OWN standing, just as Obama did. Is he better than you? What's with the self-loathing? What stops you? A BELIEF that you are suppressed. Rise above it. I rose above poverty--grew up in broken home on welfare. That didn't stop me!

Yeah, just sit around waiting for your savior. That's what the Cubans did and Castro saved them alright and their money. He saved them from freedom & prosperity. Good luck with your savior. Keep drinking the kool-aid right into further poverty. I would love to bet money on the fact that you will be AS poor as you are now if not MORE in 8 years & then some. Maybe you should learn a little history...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKFloXeBIwo. We're fulfilling Kruschev's wishes!